Trump PAC calls for end of sanctuary cities after Steinle verdict

A political action committee supporting President Trump’s reelection called for an end to “sanctuary cities” on Friday following the acquittal of an undocumented immigrant charged with the murder of San Francisco native Kate Steinle.

The Make America Great Again PAC sent a letter, signed by Trump, urging supporters to sign a petition to take away federal funding from cities such as San Francisco that limit their local law enforcement’s compliance with federal immigration authorities.

“Sanctuary cities like San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle have spent decades breaking our country’s immigration laws — and getting away with it,” the letter says. “Where is the sanctuary for the American citizens who have been the victims of criminal acts by illegal immigrants?”

A San Francisco Superior Court jury acquitted Jose Ines Garcia Zarate on Thursday of first and second degree murder and manslaughter after Steinle was shot and killed in 2015 while walking on Pier 14 in San Francisco with her father.Defense attorneys for Zarate said he had found the gun wrapped in cloth on the pier and that it accidentally went off, with the shot hitting Steinle.

Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and top Republican congressmen have pointed to Steinle’s case as a reason for increased border security and crackdowns on illegal immigration.

Garcia Zarate, who has been deported from the U.S. on five previous occasions, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The president slammed the not guilty verdict on Thursday as “disgraceful” and said it is “no wonder the people of our country are so angry with illegal immigration.”